From staff reports
The Clarion County Arts Council invites artists 16 years of age and older to enter their art work into the 60th annual Autumn Leaf Festival Art Show.
Entrants are encouraged to note the early bird deadline. Applications must be received by 4 p.m. Sept. 4 to qualify for the early bird entry fee of $15 for the first entry, and $10 for the second entry.
Due to the art show program going to press shortly after the early bird deadline, only early bird entries may be included in the printed program.
Cash prizes will be awarded and artwork may be for sale.
All artwork must be hand delivered from 3 to 6 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 21 to the Main Street Center in Clarion.
An award reception and judge’s talk will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 29 in the Main Street Center.
Electronic entry forms are available on the Clarion County Arts Council Facebook page. Printed entry forms can be obtained from Artfunkle’s Used Books, 623 Main St., Clarion; Michelle’s Cafe, 611 Main St., Clarion; and the Chamber of Business and Industry, 650 Main St., Clarion.
This year’s judge is last years featured artist Jason Floyd Lewis.
Jason Floyd Lewis is a Clarion native.After graduating from Clarion Area High School in 1998, he went to the Columbus College of Art and Design, on a scholarship, where he studied fine art.
From there he went to Bowling Green State University where he had an assistantship and taught an introduction to painting course.He has a Master of Fine Arts in drawing from Bowling Green State University.
After college, Lewis returned to Clarion and got married to his artist wife, Amanda, who works in cold porcelain.They set up a studio “The Lewis Art Studio” on a country road where they both could work and pursue their fine art ambitions.
Along the way, Lewis has worked continually in construction,his father’s trade.Lewis is represented by galleries in Columbus, Ohio and Erie and has exhibited in various locations throughout Western Pennsylvania and Ohio.
He is also a member of the Red Brick Gallery in Foxburg where he exhibits his work and helps with curating and installing guest exhibits.
This year’s featured artist is Jim Rose,Assistant Professor at Clarion University.
Jim Rose was born in Philadelphia where he studied with his mentor, Porter Groff.
In 1976, he graduated from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in Philadelphia. Later, he was awarded a Master of Fine Arts from Syracuse University.
He is a graphic designer, illustrator, painter, digital artist, musician, and teacher with an interest in the process of creativity, and the relationship between art, andmathematics.
Rose lectured nationally and internationally and has been cited in “Viewpoints, Mathematical Perspective and Fractal Geometry in Art” Princeton University Press.
Members of CCAC, artists, art enthusiasts, and people who just enjoy the show help produce this show every year and it is not an easy task.
A very few dedicated people, make this production look easy, and consequently end up doing all the work. Without more community involvement, 60 years of a healthy and much loved tradition will fall by the wayside.
Volunteers are needed to help staff the show. If you are interested in helping in any way, please email John Miller at jvasyl@hotmail.com and type “Art Show Staff” in the subject line.
The Clarion County Arts Council promotes the arts in Clarion County and works to involve and expose the community to experiences in the arts.
The show is a major attraction of the Autumn Leaf Festival which attracts thousands of visitors to Clarion every year.
Businesses and others interested in sponsoring awards are invited to email the above address.Please include “Art Show Sponsor” in the subject line.
Donations and entry fees determine the cash awards. ALF art show sponsors help keep the arts alive in this region and contributions are tax deductible.